Unsubscribe From Spam in Google Messages Just Got Easier
I’m sure there was a time when it was cool to receive a message from a company or service, but not today. Our phones are switched off too often these days, partly due to the increase in spam messages.
Many of these messages come because your number, for one reason or another, ended up on the organization’s subscriber list. Perhaps you donated blood once, and now a day later they contact you about making an appointment for the next appointment; maybe you gave money to a political candidate and now that candidate’s party is blowing up your phone to get even more money.
In many cases, you can send a STOP message to end the madness. But unless the organization advertises it, you may not know it’s possible. That’s why the new but subtle Google Messages feature could prove quite useful for millions of Android users who want to minimize the number of times their phones ring for no important reason.
“Unsubscribe to no longer receive messages”
Android Authority’s Mishaal Rahman recently noticed changes when using Google Messages. Rahman opened a message from AMC Theaters confirming that he had purchased tickets to a showing of Princess Mononoke. This text is apparently redundant, since Rahman most likely has confirmation both in his email and in the AMC application. There is no need for a third warning on these tickets. This message simply served as an unwanted distraction.
Typically, such a message would cause an eye roll and a quick deletion, but this time Google Messages gave Rahman a new option: “Unfollow to stop receiving messages.” When he clicked on the link, a new menu appeared asking why Rahman wanted to unfollow this sender. There are five options here:
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Not registered
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Too many messages
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No longer interested
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Spam
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Another
The first three parameters are static and do not allow the user to add additional information about the situation. However, when you select “Spam”, a subsequent “Report this sender” checkbox appears. You can decide whether to send the message to the sender in Google Messages or simply mark it as spam without placing blame on the contact. If you click “Other”, a text box will open where you can explain in detail why you are unfollowing, if you wish.
No matter which of the five options you choose, once you click Unfollow & Report, Google Messages will text STOP to the sender to unsubscribe you from future messages.
Rahman says the feature is present in messages sent from “short codes,” which are five- or six-digit numbers. These are the contacts who typically send these messages on a subscription basis, not the full ten-digit number. Google has also confirmed that this feature will be available in RCS Business Messages and will be available first to users who have the Google Messages beta. Until the full feature is rolled out, companies will have to send users an unsubscribe link if they are unable to complete the unsubscribe command prompt.
This feature may not appear on your smartphone today, but over time it will appear on yours. The next time you receive one of these messages on your Android device, take a close look at the bottom of the thread. Even if you don’t see this option, feel free to send a quick STOP message. This will most likely lead to the same thing.